Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Negative punishment involves taking away something desirable or enjoyable to decrease the likelihood of a particular behavior reoccurring.
Related terms
Extinction (in Operant Conditioning): The disappearance of a response when it's no longer reinforced by rewards or punishments.
Response Cost: A form of negative punishment where something desirable is taken away as a result of unwanted behavior.
Time-Out from Reinforcement (TOFR): A period during which all opportunities for positive reinforcement are withheld, often used as a form of discipline.